Delusion

by Lois E. Gibson

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should
believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness." II Thessalonians 2:11-12 (KJV)

Delusion- what Christian would want it to come upon them? The word
is used one time in the New Testament, while in the Old Testament 'delusions'
is used once in Isaiah.

"...Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in
their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their
fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they
did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which
I delighted not." Isaiah 66:3-4 (KJV)

The New Testament word is from 'plane' which means obj. fraudulence;
subj. a straying from orthodoxy or piety. (Strongs Concordance) It
was also translated deceit, to deceive, and error. According to Vines
Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, it means literally 'a wandering,'
whereby those who are led astray roam hither and thither, is always used
in the New Testament, of mental straying, wrong opinion, error in morals
or religion.

The verses in II Thessalonians are erroneously used in many churches
(especially those which are elitist) to mean anyone who leaves their church
group. A motto of some is that they preach all the Bible teaches. It is
insinuated, or bluntly stated, that they have THE truth. Leaving them then
is synonymous with leaving THE truth and therefore leaving GOD. But let's
read and understand these two verses in their proper context.

Chapter two commences with Paul warning the Thessalonians not to
believe any reports that the day of the Lord had already come. He explains
what must happen first and that the antichrist will set himself up in God's
temple, acting as if he is God himself.

He continues by explaining that there will be displays of counterfeit
miracles and wonders during this time but Jesus will destroy the antichrist
when he returns. This leads up to the verses in question, so let's continue
and read in context starting at verse 8.

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with
the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them
that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give
thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath
from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to
the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren,
stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by
word, or our epistle." (8-15 KJV)

Can you see WHO receives the delusion and WHEN this event takes place?
This is not a general statement Paul is making. It is speaking specifically
of the end times when the antichrist will be revealed and set himself up
as if he is the true God. Revelations mentions many times that those who
remain on the earth during this time and the time of God's wrath, though
the people see all these things they refuse to repent time and
again.

"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plaques yet repented
not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and
idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither
can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor
of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Revelation
9:20-21 (KJV)

Who will receive this delusion? Those described above! Those who
stubbornly refuse to repent and turn to God. Those who love their evil deeds
and the worship of demons! NOT an individual leaving a particular church!!
It is about a specific future event that has yet to take place.

Paul goes on to say that we as Christians have been saved through
the work of the Spirit in our lives and because we believed the gospel of
Jesus Christ. He again told the Thessalonians to stand firm in what he and
others had passed on to them (and not to believe the false reports that the
day of the Lord had already come and gone).

So when this verse comes back to haunt you, simply because you have
left a church organization, remember the context of the verse and who it
really is that receives this delusion from God- and ask yourself some
questions:

Is it the time of the antichrist and the wrath of God?

Have you refused to repent of your sins?

Are you living for your fleshly desires?

You have not left 'the truth' or God just because you walked away
from an organization. You leave the truth of God and his Word when you turn
away in your heart from God and start following and worshipping things that
are not gods and start living for carnal desires.

Rest assured that if you love the Lord and his Word, God's Holy Spirit
will lead and guide you, if you let him. It has been promised in the Bible.
For those who do fall into this delusion, I highly doubt they will realize
it because they have already seared their consciences as I Timothy 4:1-2
states:

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a
hot iron;" (KJV)

You may write Lois at the email address displayed in the image. No correspondence that seeks to debate will be answered as I have no desire to debate. Understand that due to the volume of mail, not every email may be acknowledged.

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